White Bumps on Face

Milium looks like a small yellowish-white bump in the shape of a dome on the skin surface and is about 1-2 mm in size. They are in the form of small lesions filled with fluid. There are two types of milia: primary and secondary. In primary milia, dead skin gets accumulated in small pockets on the surface of the skin thereby forming white bumps on face instead of disappearing naturally.

On the other hand secondary milia are in the form of small cysts and are found in areas which are affected by various skin conditions like damaged skin due to excessive exposure to sun, trauma, blisters, on the skin which blocks the glandular ducts.

Eyelids and the areas surrounding the eyes are some of the most common places where white bumps are formed. They may seem similar to whiteheads, but there is a fundamental difference between the two.

Whiteheads have an opening on the surface of the skin, but these bumps don't. Usually they are filled with a whitish hard substance called keratin. However, there is nothing to worry as they are neither life-threatening nor dangerous.

Many a time you may find white razor bumps on the face after shaving, which may occur due to several factors. One of the most common causes is ingrown hair, wherein some hair develops back into the hair follicle. This may cause the follicles to inflame thereby causing bumps.

Bumps due to ingrown hair is mostly found in people with curly hair. This can be prevented by not shaving close to the skin. You can prevent inflammation by applying lotion whose main composition is glycolic acid. If you are resistant to glycolic acid you can try out laser hair removal technique or antibiotics.

White bumps may also be formed if you don't apply adequate gel or cream while shaving. Moreover, if you shave too fast or hard, it may form bumps. You may also be allergic to shaving creams. If that's the case you can try using products made specially for sensitive skin. You can use a cleaner once a week and these are designed to exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells. You can also try out a pre-shave cleaner.

If you get white bumps, make sure that you don't remove them, as there may be a scar on the face if you try removing them. It takes just a few weeks to heal primary milia so you just need to leave it be and it would go away. However, on the other hand, secondary milia do not go away on their own, so you have to take prescribed medicines.

One of the most common treatment options for secondary milia are tretinoin and tazarotene, and some topical retinoid creams. Your doctor may also make you go through fruit acid peels or microdermabrasion procedures or he may remove the bumps with the help of a scalpel.

Some home remedies can also be applied to get rid of white bumps on face. The dead skin should be removed and for that you can use a gentle scrub to exfoliate the skin. You can also use a moisturizer which has a light consistency around these bumps.

One of the major reasons for white bumps is the accumulation of impurities, oil, and makeup, so you should clean your skin every morning and before you go to bed. Try avoiding makeup, that does not allow oil to be released into the surface of the skin, especially around the eyes.

Thus, there is nothing serious about white bumps on the face, but you should make sure that you keep your skin clean, as the main cause is accumulation of dirt and oil.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.